17 Useful Tricks For Anyone Who Uses A Hair Straightener
Because your world does not need to be flat.
1. First, figure out which size straightener is best for your hair type.
The general rule is the shorter the hair, the thinner the flat iron. For people with longer, thicker hair, a wide flat iron is best.
2. And know the difference between the different types of straighteners.
Use the chart above to figure out which kind you should be using.
3. Before you do anything, use a heat protectant spray.
Putting 365 degrees of heat directly on your hair can cause dryness, breakage, and overall fried hair. Spritz on a heat protectant spray while your hair is damp to put a barrier between the flat iron and your hair.
4. Set the heat no higher than 365 degrees.
Hair burns at the same temperature as paper: 451°F. The highest temperature that you should use your flat iron on is 365°F. For those with fine hair, the temperature should be between 300 and 325 degrees.
5. Get a little bend in your hair with this brush trick.
Once you've completely ironed your hair, drape the hot hair over a brush until it cools with a bend. Check out the tutorial here.
6. When you get to the crown, flat-iron your hair up and toward the ceiling to get volume.
Read all of the instructions here.
7. Switch things up by using your straightener to curl your hair.
Here's the complete tutorial.
8. Or make some ~beachy waves~.
Read all of the instructions here.
9. Check out this genius twist-and-gel trick to flat-iron natural hair without blow-drying it first.
Follow this video to learn.
10. Get perfectly smooth hair by using a straightening comb and your flat iron at the same time.
The straightening comb will detangle and help the hair sit flat while the straightener does its job. See the full video here.
11. Use a thermal brush at your roots to get rid of any cowlicks.
Check out the tutorial here.
Plus, you'll get extra volume at the crown of your head.
12. Crimp your hair by flat-ironing a braid.
Check out all of the instructions here.
Now for some maintenance tips:
13. With a washcloth and some rubbing alcohol, clean the gunk off your plates.
Read the full tutorial here.
14. Make this DIY flat iron holder for traveling out of a pot holder.
Follow these instructions.
15. Grab a pair of ear covers to avoid burning your skin.
16. Get this holster to hold your straightener while you're sectioning off your hair.
17. And in a pinch, use your straightener to iron your collar.
